Bo Levi Mitchell throws TD, runs for another to lead Stampeders past Ticats

Hamilton Tiger-Cats running back Mossis Madu, top, gets tackled by Calgary Stampeders line backer Juwan Simpson, right, during first half CFL football action in Hamilton on Saturday. (NATHAN DENETTE / The Canadian Press)

HAMILTON, Ont. — Bo Levi Mitchell threw a touchdown pass and ran for another as the Calgary Stampeders held on to beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 30-20 on Saturday.

Drew Tate’s three-yard TD run with 33 seconds remaining cemented the win for Calgary, to the dismay of the Ron Joyce Stadium gathering of 6,500 following a spirited comeback by Hamilton. It was set by a Jamar Wall interception of Ticats’ quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who replaced injured starter Dan LeFevour.

Calgary (6-1) moved into a tie with the Edmonton Eskimos (6-1) for first in the West Division on a wet, blustery afternoon. The Stampeders also continued their mastery of the Ticats with their sixth straight victory and 10th in 11 games.

Hamilton (1-6) suffered its third straight loss and dropped to 0-6 versus West Division teams this season. The Ticats’ lone victory was a 33-23 home decision over Ottawa on July 26.

The Ticats lost LeFevour to a suspected left hamstring injury in the fourth, but not before hitting Bakari Grant with a 21-yard TD strike just 16 seconds into the quarter that pulled Hamilton to within 20-17. Masoli came on after Rene Paredes’ 38-yard field goal at 5:11 of the fourth boosted Calgary’s lead to 23-17.

Justin Medlock’s 32-yard field goal at 9:11 again made it a three-point game.

The two teams traded field goals in third, first with Paredes’ 39-yard boot at 8:45 boosting Calgary’s lead to 20-7 before Medlock connected from 52 yards out - the longest in the CFL this season — at 11:43 to make it a 10-point game.

Jeff Fuller had Calgary’s other touchdown. Paredes booted the converts and three field goals.

Erik Harris scored Hamilton’s other touchdown. Medlock kicked the converts and two field goals.

Mitchell wasted little time staking Calgary to a 17-7 half-time lead, hitting Fuller on a six-yard TD strike at 11:50 of the second after a 74-yard completion to West put the Stampeders at the Hamilton six-yard line. It came after Medlock missed from 47 yards kicking into a brisk wind that the visitors took out to their 30-yard line.

It was a wide-open first half, with both offences moving the ball, combining for 506 total yards (263 for Calgary, 243 for Hamilton). Mitchell was 14-of-19 passing for 202 yards and a TD while LeFevour finished 14-of-21 for 194 yards with a touchdown and interceptions.

Mitchell opened the scoring with a 14-yard TD run at 8:02 of the first to cap a smart 11-play, 93-yards on Calgary’s’ first possession. LeFevour countered with a 55-yard touchdown pass to Harris, a backup linebacker, at 9:57 before Paredes booted a 19-yard field goal the second time the Stampeders had the ball.

NOTES — Harris also had an interception and sack for Hamilton . . . Veteran slotback Nik Lewis was again a scratch for Calgary . . . With running back C.J. Gable (foot) on the injured list, Mossis Madu started for Hamilton . . . Calgary defensive end Ben D’Aguilar made his return to McMaster, where he played collegiately . . . This marks the 10th straight year Calgary has started a season at .500 or better through its first six games. No other CFL team has a streak longer than three years . . . With last week’s 103-yard rushing performance against B.C., LeFevour became the first CFL quarterback since Nealon Green in ‘02 to record two 100-yard rushing games in the same season.